CHICAGO - UAL Corp's United Airlines on Thursday became the latest airline to begin charging $15 to check a single bag on domestic flights, matching the controversial fee launched in May by AMR Corp's American Airlines as the industry struggles to offset soaring fuel prices.

The parent of the No. 2 U.S. airline also said it raised the fee it charges to check three or more bags, overweight bags or items that require special handling to $125 from $100, or to $250 from $200, depending on the item.

The changes apply to customers who purchase a ticket on or after June 13 for travel within the United States and to or from Canada, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands on or after August 18. The $15 fee does not apply to some customers who are members of United's loyalty programs.

United's single-bag fee is the second such fee launched by a major airline. The airline was the first legacy carrier to implement a $25 fee to check a second bag.

The new fees are part of a broader effort by airlines to charge passengers for services that used to be included in the price of a ticket. Some carriers charge for in-flight perks such as meals, drinks and snacks.

"With record-breaking fuel prices, we must pursue new revenue opportunities, while continuing to offer competitive fares, by tailoring our products and services around what our customers value most and are willing to pay for," John Tague, UAL's chief operating officer, said in a statement.

United said fees for checking the first and second bags would generate revenue of about $275 million a year.

American Airlines was sharply criticized for its single-bag fee by passengers who consider the charge excessive.

Please PLEASE read these articles thoroughly --- every single airline instituting these baggage fees IS FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS, FLIGHTS TO THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS, FLIGHTS TO PUERTO RICO. Canada is not applicable with ALL carriers, so if you are worried about Canada, call your travel provider. And I don't mean your TA. Call the 800 number for the actual airline you're flying to ask if it applies to you.

I just HATE to see brides panic about this when they don't read the entire article and if they did, they'd realize it doesnt apply to them either because of their final destination location or the time constraints.

honestly I don't think 15$ is such a big deal, it's very low. and it makes sense to charge people who bring luggage the fee rather than just increasing tickets prices for everyone by 10$ (don't get me wrong, I always have excessive loads of suitcases, and I think it's fair to pay just a little bit more - not a hundred more but a little is okay)

We flew through Spiritair and it was a nightmare! We prepurchased our baggage making it $20 a bag roundtrip. Well, when I was done it only showed up one way so I thought I messed it up and went back in and puchased it for the way back. I had a blond moment and did not check the bank first. Well, I was charged $20 extra dollars and it still showed up not purchased online. I called the 800 number and they said I would have to deal with it at the airport. At the airport they told me I would have to call the 800. It was 4am and we could not get ahold of anyone so we thought we would try from Jamaica. Anyone tried to make a call from Jamaica Not easy. We finally went to the main building at the resort and a lady there helped us get ahold of a person. Wouldn't you know it we got to the airport and they said we had not purchesed the baggage for the return flight! After a big fit they "found it". Even saw where I overpaid it but again I was going to have to call the 800number. Still have gotten nowhere with that. That was just begining of a nightmare trip home with delayed flights and overbooking. Having to spend the night in Ft. Lauderdale. Being put on different flights than our friends we were traveling with. It was a mess. Noone wanted to answer any of our questions about what was going on and just deferred to someone else. Everyone blamed someone else. I didn't care who was at fault I just wanted to get home! We did not get home until 2am on the 24th. We were planning on being at our house at 10pm on the 22nd! I know delayed flights had nothing to do with the prepurched bagges but I got on a rampage and couldn't stop..lol I have herd though that a lot of airlines are going to go to this prepuchased baggage. IF they all have good systems in place it really would not be a big deal! Ours wouldn't have been if thier system would have just worked how it should have!

Please PLEASE read these articles thoroughly --- every single airline instituting these baggage fees IS FOR DOMESTIC FLIGHTS, FLIGHTS TO THE US VIRGIN ISLANDS, FLIGHTS TO PUERTO RICO. Canada is not applicable with ALL carriers, so if you are worried about Canada, call your travel provider. And I don't mean your TA. Call the 800 number for the actual airline you're flying to ask if it applies to you.

I just HATE to see brides panic about this when they don't read the entire article and if they did, they'd realize it doesnt apply to them either because of their final destination location or the time constraints.

well put maur, not to mention that i think just about EVERY major airline now charges for at least the 2nd bag (we start 01JUL08 ), except for i think southwest (trust me, most of you know this is coming from someone who knows this kind of truth! )

Well, I think that the fees are ridiculous especially when there's the 3-1-1 liquid rule in effect. Not only are they charging for luggage but the prices for tickets are also increasing. The price for me to fly from Houston to NY has increased over $60 since the increase in oil!

I read in CNN Money that this is related to the fact that the average domestic flight now costs airlines $650 per passenger which is like double what it cost a couple years ago. They are not breaking even and couldn't get fare increases to cover it so they are finding ways to cut costs (make you pay for beverage service, cut staff) and one of those was adding fees for things like bags checked.

___________Wed 9/5/08 at Lake Las Vegas Chapel Fiorenza with yacht cruise reception on the La Contessa and party the next night in VIP section at Club Poetry at Caesars Palace. Stayed at the Ritz at the Lake and checked into the Trump hotel on the strip after our reception.Our first baby (a...

Also USAIR ( i think it was usair) is now charging for soda-2.00 a can!!! It was on our news yesterday! So now you can bring your own drink through security and NOW you have to pay to get one on the plane or buy after you go thru security which is always overpriced! I do understand airlines CANT afford the gas-either can we who only drive cars. I mean we got lucky for our jetblue flight-rochester, ny to jfk, then to Vegas 139 each way! We certainly couldnt drive from NY to NV for 700.00 in gas. I really wonder how airlines will make ANY MONEY?